Effective group communication

To keep and motivate members, good communication is essential between all group members. It's more than just an exchange of words -- all behavior conveys some message. Communication is effective when the receiver correctly interprets the sender's intended message.

You may want to go over the following with your members to enhance group communication.

Sending a message effectively involves these steps:

• Clearly "own" your message. Use personal pronouns such as "I" and "my."

• Make your messages complete and specific (Which Monday? Which computer?).

• Make your verbal and non-verbal communication congruent (don't smile when you have bad news).

• Say important things more than once. Say them again in a different way.

• Check in with your listener. Ask for feedback concerning the way messages are being received.

• Send the message on a peer level (e.g.: expert to expert, not boss to employee).

You also need to be a good listener. Receiving messages effectively involves three steps:

1. Check-in with the sender. Paraphrase the message back accurately, without evaluating.

2. Describe your perceptions of the meaning of what was said.

3. Clarify until sender and receiver agree on the message.

Patterns of communication among group members:

• Observe who talks the most. Try to have everyone attending say something at every meeting.

• Observe who talks to whom and when.

• Observe what "triggers" behavior, good and bad. Try to encourage behavior that helps the group communicate clearly.

• Interruption is very harmful. Have people wait their turn.

Beware of competition among members!

• A competitive rather than a cooperative climate blocks communication.

• Defensiveness comes out of feelings of competition, and it blocks communication.

• A cooperative climate leads to increased group cohesiveness and the ability to get more things done.

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